Julian Assange to Speak at SXSW Interactive (Update)

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will speak via satellite at SXSW Interactive in March. In a rare public interview, Assange will discuss the "pervasive spread of surveillance, advantages and abuses of the digital age, and the future of democracy," according to a statement from the festival.

Palmer told KUT that his conversation with Assange at South By will be more of a conversation about the future of the Internet and international communication, and less of a formal interview.

"This is where everyone that's inventing all the next platforms goes to kind of hear thought leadership, you know?" Palmer said. "And I feel like Julian's point of view — where the Internet has come from, where it's going and what's generally happening — is a really important conversation to have at a place like South By Southwest."

Assange recently condemned American surveillance programs on UK public radio, saying law enforcement was trying to obtain "god-like" knowledge of its civilians, the Guardian reported. Assange has been living in an Ecuadorian embassy in London for the past year. Ecuador granted him asylum, but if he leaves the embassy, he faces arrest.

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Though its average attendee is much older, you can think about South by Southwest like it was a high school: Its got cool rockers, AV buffs (SXSW Film), tech geeks (SXSW Interactive), even straight-A students (SXSWedu) and crunchy granola-types (SXSW Eco). Now South by Southwest has invited the jocks to the party.

South By Southwest Music announced the first salvo of artists gracing the badge-laden official stages. The list includes just over 180 bands from all over the world, including 26 Austin acts including Whiskey Shivers , Shakey Graves , The Sour Notes and Wild Child . The festival will begin on March 7 and all three phases Film, Interactive and Music will wrap up on March 16. You can check out the whole lineup on the SXSW Music site .